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I’ve been a long-time fan of iHome products and this one is no exception. It’s great for obvious reasons, like playing your iPod, but also for less obvious reasons. Like when, in the middle of the night, you need to breastfeed your baby and you want to see what you’re doing but you don’t want to stimulate your baby with a lot of light. The changing, ambient light is the perfect amount to prevent you from stepping on your dog, slipping on your dirty socks or tripping over your rocker’s ottoman while navigating 150 square feet of nursery. I cannot say that you won’t still do any of the previously mentioned things (sleep deprivation is a bitch challenging), but this will help. It’s even great in the event you need to change a diaper, pump, etcetera in these late-night or early morning hours. Not bright, but enough to get the job done, while allowing you to sleep through it when the time is right. Set the mood with five color change modes: slow fade spectrum, favorite color, pulse to music, fast change spectrum, or no color. The display is big and shows the time perfectly, numerically. You can also set an alarm or tune into FM Radio, which I have not done, but assume will work as you’d expect. I give this product an A+ for the nursery, delivering perfectly pitched lullabies, Mozart and ever so often, some good booty shakin’ music!

Clearly an inside joke, but one I’m sure any mom who has breast-fed can relate to… I introduce “The Sherrill Dairy” (aka: Diane Rose)operating around the clock, 24 hours daily. It’s times like these you really feel for the cows… or, maybe you just feel like a cow, I’m not exactly sure.

I will not tell you my opinion on whether you should or should not breast feed your child, I don’t even know that I have an opinion. I will tell you that I, a formula fed baby, have found breastfeeding my son to be both rewarding and relatively easy (thank goodness).

Our beginnings were frustrating, as my colostrum didn’t come in. For the first 5-6 days we were forced to supplement with formula, via syringe at the nipple, as we watched Beckett’s weight plummet 10oz in a few days. The two-man job was hard, but my husband and I got through it. I worried that this setback could mean my dreams of breastfeeding may also be devastated, but alas when the milk came in, boy did it ever C-O-M-E I-N!! I’ll never forget waking up on the first or second day home from the hospital with my brand new set of rock-hard tah-tahs…. OUCH!! Just one more thing you can not be prepared for!

Beckett took to the breast easily, takes a bottle with no repercussion, and nurses on one side per feeding for a maximum of 15 minutes, every three hours (I know I’m lucky). He is growing like a weed and I couldn’t be more proud of my body and the nutrients it is providing for my boy. I love breastfeeding and our special minutes we get to spend together. It is truly (in my humble opinion) a miracle and I thank God for this amazing experience (and money-saving opportunity).

There are several things I have found useful in this journey, here are my suggestions.

#1. Breast Pump… Yes, you need one! I would suggest renting a hospital grade pump for a couple of weeks, even if you already own a double electric pump (I know you just spent $300 on one, but trust me, there’s a difference). My delivery hospital had a Medela Symphony (retails for over $1500. Yes, there’s a difference!!) that was much better at emptying my breasts, than my Medela Pump-in-Style I’m using now, especially helpful when they are extra full the first few weeks.

#2. Milk Storage… Get some freezer bags (5oz, box of 50) and extra storage containers (2.5oz or larger, box of 6-12) for the fridge. I stock piled around thirty 5oz freezer bags in the first 2 weeks home. If your breasts produce like mine, you’ll be glad you have these!! I pumped after almost every feeding and am so thankful I did because my supply has slowed, making just what Beckett needs. It’s nice knowing I have extra milk in the freezer when I feel like having a cocktail or when I’m away from the boy (at work or otherwise).

#3. Nursing Bras… I’m still figuring this out. I definitely appreciated having some on hand for when I got home from the hospital. The basic “sports bra” or sleep bra type is best until you know what size your breasts will settle into. I found Target carries a brand called Basics by Bravado! that I like a lot. Get 4 or 5, I leaked and Beckett got milk all over me those first few weeks while we were figuring everything out and you’ll want enough to last you through your laundry cycle. I have bought a couple more that give me some shape for when I wear something other than pj’s and sweat suits. I followed suit and bought some by the brand Bravado! Designs. Last, but not least, get a hands free pumping bra.

#4. Nursing tops… I decided against these because nursing tanks aren’t flattering. They’re short and tight around the middle, when all I wanted was room for my new belly and length to cover it. I know the work that needs to be done, I don’t need to be reminded of it every time I look down at it (thank you very much). Instead, I opted for cotton camisoles that you could just move over to nurse. They are cute and comfy and I live in pj’s around the house (my husband is a lucky man, ha ha). I feel like my normal wardrobe works just fine outside the house, as long as I can pull it up or down.

#5. Nursing Pads… I use a reusable, washable kind and I really love them. Definitely get something, because you’ll leak. My breasts filled up fast for the first month or so, I opted for day-use ones (thin) and evening-use ones (thick).

#6. Breast Care… Gel soothies were a life saver for my sore nipples. I put them in the fridge while I nursed and by the time I was done, they would be nice and cold, and really helped alleviate the soreness. I tried many brands but liked Ameda the best. Lanolin cream was also helpful in this department. No need to stock pile these items though, as you may only need them for a couple of weeks. Have a few packs of soothies (they last for up to a week) and a single tube of lanolin. My boy hasn’t started teething yet and we didn’t have any latch problems, so take that piece of advice with a grain of salt, I am a new mom after all. Oh, and ask for both at the hospital, they will give you some for free!!

#7. Nursing Support… get My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow, even if you already have a Boppy (which seems to be the nursing standard). I have both, the Boppy in the living room for occasional use (while watching TV or for propping up Becks) and The Breast Friend in the nursery for the majority of use. The reason, The Breast Friend attaches around your waist and has lumbar support. It’s great to be able to clip it around your middle, then pick up the baby and sit down, instead of trying to get the pillow right while holding the baby and getting comfortable. Trust me, sleep deprivation and getting used carrying a squirming sack of potatoes is hard, and your back will be aching.

#10. Mommy Entertainment… You will spend the majority of your day breastfeeding, or at least it will feel that way. Start recording your favorite shows or pick up a new series on DVD that you’ve been told about. If you don’t have a TV in the nursery or wherever you’ll be breastfeeding (like me) I would suggest an iPhone or iPad for apps, games, etc.

Me: “That about covers it folks. I still can’t believe how many things one little person requires.”

Hands down, BEST PURCHASE decision I have made to date! I can’t believe that anyone would mess with a changing pad and cloth cover after what I have experienced in this short time with Beckett.

In the first week with our son, my husband and I would have needed up to 8 clean covers per day if it weren’t for our Cooshee. Of course, with the passing of days and now weeks, we’ve gotten better at preventing the messes, but he still gets us with a stream of whiz or a splatter of poo at least every other day. I keep a tub of Clorox wipes next to the changer and in one fell swoop, bye, bye Beckett soil. This is the #1 reason we love it, #2 is because Beckett LOVES it! You can lay him down in this thing and he may be upset for a moment or two, but suddenly, he is calm, quiet and letting mommy and daddy go about cleaning up his business.

Initially, I was skeptical purchasing something that, in comparison to the soft, squishy pads with cloth covers, looked hard and cold. NOT THE CASE, AT ALL!! The micro-cell foam is soft and warms immediately to our son’s skin. He doesn’t shutter or shiver a bit, and has laid on it naked more times than clothed (many outfits were sacrificed that first week as well). A girlfriend of mine also has a Cooshee, and she has used it to bathe her son, cool added bonus, I’d say!! I feel extremely lucky that I read about this changer in a blog somewhere and shopped outside of the norm. I used the reviews on Amazon to cement my decision, and even purchased it there. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be available there now, but I’ve attached a link where it is. Happy changing!